Filling and venting structure for storage batteries



May 6, 1941. v J. L. WOODBRIDGE FILLING AND VENTING STRUCTURE FOR STORAGE BATTERIES Filed Dec. 15, 1938 Has;

wmwrak e u/zeszer/l wo rz'a 6 4rr0/M EK Patented May 6, 1941 FILLING AND VENTING STRUCTURE FOR STORAGE BATTERIES 'Joseph Lester Woodbridge, Philadelphia, Fa assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Richard.- son Company, Lockland, Ohio, a corporation of Application December 15, 1938, Serial No. 245,834

liquid which may rise in the duct 2 during the 18 Claims.

One object of the invention is to prevent over filling a storage battery cell and this I accomplish by providing a filling and venting duct extending through the cover to a point approximately at the normal electrolyte level and an auxiliary vent communicating with the space between the normal surface of the electrolyte and the under side of the cover and having a teeter or tiltable valve arranged to close this vent by gravity, during the filling operation to trap gas in the said space and prevent the liquid from rising thereinto until after the filling operation is completed and the vent plug is inserted in its normal position in the filling duct; the vent plug operating to tilt the valve into open position.

Generally stated the invention comprises the improvements to be presently described and finally claimed.

In the following description reference will be made to the accompanying drawing forming part hereof and in which,

Figure 1 shows a vertical cross section of a filling and venting structure embodying features of the invention with the vent plug removed.

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 with the valve member omitted.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the valve member.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the valve member, and

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectionof the filling and venting structure taken in a plane at right angles to that of Figure 1 and showing a modification of the design of the valve member.

In Figure 1, I represents the cover of a storage battery cell provided with a filling and venting duct 2 defined by a tubular boss 3 extending above the cover and a tubular skirt 4 depending below the cover. The internal diameter of the tubular skirt 4 is less than that of the tubular boss 3, thus providing a shoulder 5 upon which the valve member 6 to be hereinafter described, rests.

In the external wall of the tubular skirt 4 there is provided a vertical groove 1 having a vent 8 extending from its upper end through the shoulder 5 whereby communication is provided from the space 9 under the cover into the duct 2 and thence (when the vent plug is inserted) through the openings in the baflle ll of the vent plug l2 and through the vent opening l3in the top of the vent plug into the atmosphere. When the vent plug is removed as shown in Figure 1, the valve member 6 closes the vent 8, and its weight is sufficent to prevent gas from escaping through this vent under the slight pressure due to the heat of filling operation.-

The valve member 6 as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 issomewhat semi-circular in shape and adapted to lie on the shoulder 5. It is provided with two projections Hi from its lower surface,

adapted to be located in grooves l5 provided in the inner wall of the skirt 4. The projections l4 thus prevent the valve member 6 from being displaced.

At one end of the semi-circular valve member there is provided an extension 16 terminating in an upstanding projection H. The extension l6 rises at a slight angle from the plane of the balance of the valve member 6 as shown, so that this portion of the valve member does not rest on the shoulder 5. The projection I! is adapted to be engaged by the lower edge of the vent plug II when the latter is inserted and screwed down to its normal position whereby the valve member is tilted so that the portion which confronts the vent 8 is raised, permitting the gas trapped in the space 9 to escape through this vent.

From the foregoing description it is evident that the element 6, is a teeter or tiltable valve, in the sense that it is turnably supported to one side of its center of weight and therefore it is in stable equilibrium only in closed position and when tilted to open position by a force applied at the other side of its support it must be held in open position.

During the filling operation when the vent plug is removed and the valve member is in the position shown in Figure 1, water will be added to the cell until the level of the electrolyte rises to the line l8 of Figure 1, at which point the gas trapped in the space 9 will prevent it from rising further except in the duct 2, in which duct it will rise unti it is observed by the operator and the filling oper ation will be stopped. When the vent plug is inserted, the valve member 6 will be tilted as described above, opening the vent 8 and allowing the gas trapped in the space 9 to escape, thus permitting the level of the surplus liquid in the filling duct 2 to fall to the normal level l8.

While the valve member 6 will ordinarily be retained in its normal position by the projections I4 and by gravity, there is shown in Figure 5 a modified design to prevent the valve member from becoming displaced even if the cell is inverted or from being removed by the operator. Figure 5 is a vertical cross section on the line 5-5 of Figures 2 and 3.but introduces a slight modification in the design of the projections l4 and the grooves I5. In Figure .5 the grooves l5 are provided with shoulders 20 at the top and the projections Ma from the under side of the valve member 6 terminate in hooked portions 2| adapted to engage under the shoulders 20 to prevent the valve member from being removed. As shown in Figure 5 the projections Ma are bent toward each other far enough to permit the hooks 2| to pass down into the grooves IS. The valve member may be made of a metal such as lead-antimony alloy of suflicient ductility to permit these projections I la to be bent back to a vertical position after the valve member is in its normal position so that the hooks 2| will then engage the under surfaces of the shoulders 20 in case of any appreciable amount of vertical displacement of the valve member.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in details of construction and arrangement and in matters of mere form without departing from the spirit of the invention which is not limited as to such matters or otherwise than the prior art and the appended claims may require.

I claim:

1. In a cell cover a body having a filler openmg, a hollow annular portion of said body extending downwardly from the top thereof about said filler opening, a further tube-like extension of lesser periphery than said body portion where by a shoulder is left within said filler opening and above said tube-like extension, a perforation in said shoulder exterior to said tube-like extension for venting gases, a washer shaped valve resting on said shoulder and closing said perforation, and a vented filler cap for closing said filler opening, means for tilting said valve away from the perforation, said means including a portion of the filler cap for contacting the valve said filler opening, means for tilting said valve away from the perforation, said means including a portion of the filler cap for contacting the valve to tilt it upon application of the filler cap, said valve being a member of antimonial lead.

3. In a filling and venting structure for a storage battery cell having a cover and containing electrolyte, the combination of, walls defining a tubular duct passing through the cover and extending downwardly to the normal electrolyte level, said duct having an internal upwardly facing shoulder and having vertically extending grooves in the internal surface of' its walls, a vent opening provided through the walls defining said tubular duct and communicating with the space under the cover above the normal electrolyte level and exterior to said walls, a teeter valve member adapted to lie on the shoulder and to be positioned by gravity to cover the vent opening, the teeter valve member and the shoulder having confronting surfaces whereof at least one is broken to provide afulcrum for the teeter valve member, said teeter valve member being shaped to avoid obstructing said duct, projections formed on said valve member received by said grooves to secure the valve memher in position, said teeter valve member having an upwardly extending projection, and a vent plug adapted for insertion into the filling duct to engage said upwardly extending projection to tilt said teeter valve member into position to uncover said vent opening.

4. In a filling and venting structure for a storage battery cell having a cover and containing electrolyte, the combination of: walls defining 'a tubular filling duct passing through the cover and extending downwardly to the normal electrolyte level; said walls provided with an internal, upwardly facing shoulder; a vertical roove in the external surface of the walls of the duct below the under surface of the cover; a vent extending from the inner surface of the walls of the duct to the upper end of said groove; a teeter valve member adapted to lie on the shoulder to close the vent and adapted to be tilted to open said vent and shaped so as not to obstruct said duct, said teeter valve member and said shoulder having confronting faces of which one is not flat so as to provide a fulcrum about which said teeter valve member is tilted; and a vent plug adapted for insertion into the duct to engage the valve member to tilt said valve member int ventopening position.

5. Venting and filling means for a storage battery cell having a cover and containing electrolyte comprising: walls defining a tubular duct extending through the cover to the normal electrolyte level; a support within said duct; a vent opening through said walls below the under surface of the cover; a rigid valve member supported within the duct on said support and confronting the vent opening and adapted to rock on said support to open and close the vent opening, said valve member having an opening theret'hrough providing access to the interior of the cell, said support and said valve member having confronting faces at least one of which is not fiat and is located so as to causethe valve member to rock by gravity into vent-closing position; and a vent plug adapted, when inserted in the duct, to rock the valve member to vent-opening position.

6. The combination as described in claim 3 and in which the projections are provided with hooks and the grooves are provided with shoulders that are engaged by the hooks.

'7. In a filling and venting structure for a storage battery cell having a cover and containing electrolyte, the combination of, walls defining a tubular duct passing through the cover and extending downwardly to the normal electrolyte level, said duct having an internal upwardly facing shoulder, a vent opening provided through the walls defining said tubular duct and communicating with the space under the cover above the normal electrolyte level and exterior to said walls, a teeter valve member adapted to lie on the shoulder and to be positioned by gravity to cover the vent opening, the teeter valve member and the shoulder having confronting surfaces whereof at least one is broken to provide a fulcrum for the teeter valve member, said teeter valve member being shaped to avoid obstructing said duct, and a vent plug adapted for insertion into the duct to engage the teeter valve member to tilt said teeter valve member into position to uncover said vent opening.

8. A storage battery cell cover having a well, as a filler opening, said well having an interior shoulder, a hollow tube-like portion extending downwardly from said shoulder and open to said well, at least one perforation through said Shoulder to a point exterior to said tube-like portion, a weight-controlled valve member in said well capable of resting on said shoulder so as to cover said perforation and shaped to permit filling through said tube-like portion, and a vented filler cap for closing said filler opening, means for tilting said valve, away from the perforation, said means including a portion of the filler cap for contacting the valve to tilt it upon application of the filler cap.

9, A storage battery cell cover having a well as a filler opening, said well having an interior, annular shoulder, a hollow tube-like portion extending downwardly from said shoulder and open to said well, at least" one perforation through said shoulder to a point exterior to said tube-like portion, a weight-controlled valve member in said well capable of resting on said shoulder so as to cover said perforation and having a central opening giving access to the hollow of said tube-like portion, and a vented filler cap for closing said filler opening, means for tilting said valve away from the perforation said means including a portion of the filler cap for contacting the valve to tilt it upon applica-' tion of the filler cap.

10. Electrolyte control means for a storage battery comprising a, cell cover having a filler opening in the form of a well, a tubular member of less internal diameter than the bottom of the well depending therefrom to a normal electrolyte level, the said [bottom of the well having a as vent perforation exterior to said tubular member, a weight operated valve member in said well cut away to permit filling through said tubular member, and adapted to rest on said perforation by gravity to close the same, said valve member and the said bottom of the well having confronting surfaices whereof at least one is broken to provide a fulcrum for said valve, a'vent cap for said filler opening, arranged when in position therein to tilt said valve member to place said perforation in communication with said filler opening.

11. Electrolyte control means for a storage battery comprising a cell cover having a filler opening in the form of a well. a tubular member of less internal diameter than the bottom of the well depending therefrom to a normal electrolyte level, the said bottom of the well having a gas vent perforation exterior to said tubular member, a weight operated valve member in said well cut away to permit filling through said tubular member, and adapted to rest on said perforation by gravity to close the same, said valve member and the said bottom of the well having confronting surfaces whereof at least one is broken to provide a fulcrum for said valvea vent cap for said filler opening, arranged when in posi tion therein to tilt said valve member to place said perforation in communication with said filler opening, and means for preventing ro ational displacement of said valve member w th respect to said perforation.

12. Electrolyte control means for a storage battery comprising a cell cover having a filler opening in the form of a well. a tubular member of less internal diameter than the bottom of the Well depending therefrom to a normal electrolvte level, the said bottom of the well havin a as vent perforation exterior to said tubular member, a weight operated valve member in said well cut away to permit filling through said tubular member, and adapted to rest on said perforation by gravity to close the same, said valve member and the said bottom of the well having confronting surfaces whereof at least one is broken to provide a fulcrum for said valve, a vent cap for said filler opening, arranged when in position opening in the form of a well, a tubular member of less internal diameter than the bottom of the well depending therefrom-to a normal electrolyte level, the said bottom of the well having a gas vent perforation exterior to said tubular member, a weight operated valve member in said well cut away to permit filling through said tubular member, and adapted to rest on said perforation by gravity to close the same, said valve member and the said bottom of the well having confronting surfaces whereof at least one is broken to provide a fulcrum for said valve, a vent cap for said filler opening, arranged when in position therein to tilt said valve member to place said perforation in communication with said filler opening, and means for preventing rotational displacement of said valve member with respect to said perforation, and operating .means for said'valve member comprising an upwardly extending projection thereon adapted to be contacted by said vent cap.

14. Electrolyte control means for a storage battery comprising a cell cover having a filler opening in the form of a well, a tubular member of less internal diameter than the bottom of the well depending therefrom to a normal electrolyte level, the said bottom of the well having a gas vent perforation exterior to said tubular member; a weight operated valve member in said well cut away to permit filling through said tubular member, and adapted to rest on said perforation by gravity to close the same, said valve member and the said bottom of the well having confronting surfaces whereof at least one is broken to provide a fulcrum for said valve, a vent cap for said filler opening, arranged when in position therein to tilt said valve member to place said perforation incommunication'yvith said filler opening, and means for preventing rotational displacement of said valve memberiwith respect to said perforation, said means comprising a downwardly extending finger on said valve member, said tubular member havinga groove in the wall thereof to receive said finger.

15. Electrolyte control means for a storage battery comprising a. cell cover having a filler opening in the form of a well, a tubular member of less internal diameter than the bottom of the well depending therefrom to a normal electrolyte level, the said bottom of the well having a gas vent perforation exterior to said tubular member, a weight operated valve member in said well cut away to permit filling through said tubular member, and adapted to rest on said perforation by gravity to close the same, said valve member and the said bottom of the well having confronting surfaces whereof at least one is broken to provide a fulcrum for said valve, a vent cap for said filler opening, arranged when in position therein to tilt said valve member to place said perforation in communication with said filler opening, and means for preventing rotational displacement of said valve member with respect to said perforation, said means comprising a pair of downward extensions on said valve member, said tubular member on its inner wall having depressions to receive said extensions.

16. Electrolyte, control means for a storage battery comprising a cell cover having a filler opening in the form of a well, a tubular member of less internal diameter than the bottom of the well depending therefrom to a normal electrolyte level, the said bottom of the well having a gas vent perforation exterior to said tubular member, a weight operated valve memher in said well cut away to permit filling through said tubular member, and adapted to rest on said perforation by gravity to close the same, said valve member and the said bottom of the well having confronting surfaces whereof at least one is broken to provide a fulcrum for said valve, a vent cap for said filler opening, arranged when in position therein to tilt said valve member toplace said perforation in communication with said filler opening, and means for preventing rotational displacement of said valve member with respect to said perforation, said means comprising ribs and grooves for the valve member and the well, said valve member having an upwardly extending operating projection. I

1'7. In a cover for electric storage batteries, in combination a filler well having a bottom, a tubular member open through the filler well and depending therefrom to a desired maximum electrolyte level, the said bottom of the well providing a gas vent passageway exterior to said tubular member, a vented filler cap, and a teeter valve in said filler well capable of resting on said bottom, said valve and bottom having confronting surfaces at least one of which is broken to provide a fulcrum for said valve, said valve being actuable by gravity to a position in which said well and said tubular member constitute a single passageway from said electrolyte level upwardly, and actuable by said filler cap to another position permitting escape of gas into said filler well through said gas vent passageway from a point above the bottom of said tubular member.

18. In a cover for an electric storage battery in combination, a filler well having a bottom, a tubular member open through said filler well and adapted to depend therefrom to a desired maximum electrolyte level, the said bottom of the well providing a gas vent passageway exterior to said tubular member. a vented filler plug, and a teeter valve device capable of resting on said bottom, said valve and bottom having confronting surfaces at least one of which is broken to provide a fulcrum for said valve, said valve being actuable by gravity to a position in which said filler well and said tubular member constitute a single passageway from said electrolyte level upwardly, and actuable by said filler cap to another position to open said gas vent passageway.

JOSEPH LESTER WOODBRIDGE. 

